Edmonton Eskimos promote Hervey, a former wide receiver with the club, to GM

Guelph Mercury

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos turned to one of their own to be their new general manager.

The Eskimos have promoted Ed Hervey, a former longtime wide receiver with the CFL club, to the post.

The 39-year-old Hervey was most recently Edmonton’s assistant GM. He takes over for Eric Tillman, who was fired by the CFL club last month.

“I’m excited for the challenge, but I’m humbled by the opportunity,” Hervey said. “I want to make it very clear that this is not about me, this is about the Edmonton Eskimos, this is about our team, our organization, our direction.

“Our direction is simple: we want to win.”

Hervey played eight seasons for the Eskimos, and was a CFL all-star in 2001 and 2003.

Tillman was fired before Edmonton played in last month’s East Division semifinal. The Eskimos lost to the eventual Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts.

Hervey takes over a club that struggled offensively in 2012 and stumbled into the playoffs on a three-game losing streak. Edmonton finished last in the West Division, but finished with a better record than Hamilton and Winnipeg and crossed over into the East semifinal.

He hopes some stability will bring a winning attitude back to a club that has won 13 Grey Cups.

“Winning is what I want to do, and I won’t stop until I do,” he said. “That’s just how I’m wired. But I also believe in structure. I believe in the best players, I believe in the best staff, but I’m not mistaken to believe that it’s not about the football team. We are a football club, and football is what we do.”

One of Hervey’s first actions as GM was to endorse current Eskimos coach Kavis Reed.

“He is the guy. I believe in him,” Hervey said “I want to give him the opportunity to coach this football team without any side distractions. Just give him a department that can work well with him that’s efficient. I’ve had a chance to work with Kavis and he’s very good.”